US4503982A - Dispenser for cup lids and straws - Google Patents
Dispenser for cup lids and straws Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US4503982A US4503982A US06/495,762 US49576283A US4503982A US 4503982 A US4503982 A US 4503982A US 49576283 A US49576283 A US 49576283A US 4503982 A US4503982 A US 4503982A
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- plate
- base plate
- dispenser
- fastened
- slot
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- Expired - Fee Related
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
- A47F5/00—Show stands, hangers, or shelves characterised by their constructional features
- A47F5/0043—Show shelves
- A47F5/005—Partitions therefore
Definitions
- This invention relates to a dispenser for cup lids and straws which has adjustable storage and dispensing receptacles to accommodate a wide variety of sizes of cup lids and straws.
- cup lids are frequently kept stacked on counter tops, or in their shipping containers or boxes. Such a temporary arrangement leads to disorderliness, particularly when customers have access to the lids.
- the dispenser of the present invention includes a base plate serving as the bottom surface of the dispenser and a cabinet plate forming the back and side surfaces. It is constructed of stainless steel or other durable or otherwise appropriate material. A plurality of dividers fastened to spaced openings in the base plate, and which may be quickly and easily repositioned, allow the dispenser to accommodate varying numbers and sizes of lids and straws.
- the dispenser has adjustably fastened support brackets which allow it to be mounted to many types of mounting surfaces.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a dispenser for cup lids and straws that allows its supply of lids to be easily visible and easily replenished.
- FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the dispenser of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the dispenser shown in FIG. 1.
- FIG. 1 shows the present embodiment of dispenser 10 of the present invention.
- the components of the present embodiment of dispenser 10 are of stainless steel, although other materials may be utilized, including aluminum, copper, plastic, wood or wood composite material, fiberboard or cardboard. Choice of appropriate materials is determined primarily by durability, cost and aesthetic considerations.
- Base plate 12 is the central member of dispenser 10; it supports the lids and straws stored in dispenser 10, and to it are connected the other primary components of dispenser 10.
- the peripheral portions of base plate 12 may be folded to form skirt tabs 14 depending downwardly from base plate 12, to which may be attached cabinet plate 18, and which imparts to dispenser 10 a pleasing appearance and structural rigidity.
- Cabinet plate 18 comprises two side surfaces 24 and a restraining surface 22 against which straws and stacks of cup lids rest when stored in dispenser 10, as best visualized with reference to FIG. 2.
- the typically face-up angle of inclination 26 given dispenser 10, discussed more fully below, causes the stored straws and stacked lids to assume a natural gravity-induced repose against restraining surface 22, and thus to resist falling from dispenser 10 while being readily accessible to users.
- a row or rows of spaced openings 30 Formed in base plate 12 are a row or rows of spaced openings 30. These openings receive fasteners 32 which serve to fasten or connect other components of dispenser 10 to base plate 12.
- fasteners 32 may be bolts or screws with wingtype or other type nuts, rivets, welding or brazing spots or other type fasteners; in the present embodiment, bolts with wing-nuts are used to allow dispenser 10 to be rapidly adapted to new mounting environments and to new and varying cup lid sizes and assortments.
- One of the components that may be fastened to dispenser 10 is at least one support bracket 32.
- two support brackets 34 are adjustably fastened to spaced openings 30 and base plate 12 by means of slots 38 that allow support brackets 34 to rotate slightly and to slide with respect to base plate 12 in order to allow dispenser 10 to be mounted to a wide variety of mounting surfaces 36.
- Support brackets 34 can be fastened to base plate 12 by means of any of spaced openings 30, thus greatly increasing the adaptability of dispenser 10 to a broad range of mounting surfaces 36.
- Foot plate 40 and toe plate 42 of each support bracket 34 provide surfaces that cooperate with the mounting surface 36 to which dispenser 10 is mounted, and that may be fastened to mounting surface 36.
- Toe plate 42 may be folded to be coplanar with foot plate 40 or at any other convenient disposition with respect to foot plate 40.
- Foot plate 40 and toe plate 42 are connected to slot plate 44, in which slots 38 are formed, by angle plate 48.
- angle plate 48 determines the angle of inclination 26 of dispenser 10, the angle at which base plate 12 is disposed relative to mounting surface 36.
- angle plate 48 is trapezoidal so that slot plate 44 is disposed at angle of inclination 26 relative to toe plate 42 of approximately 7 degrees.
- Support brackets 34 may be fashioned to vary angle of inclination 26.
- angle of inclination 26 is in the range from zero degrees to forty-five degrees, inclusive, and the optimum angle for a given application is dictated by, among other things, the need for ease of access and visibility of the lids and straws stored in dispenser 10.
- each divider section 50 may be fashioned into one or more tangs 52, each of which may have a hole or holes 53 that can be aligned with spaced openings 30 to fasten divider sections 50 to base plate 12.
- divider sections 50 are fastened to base plate 12 by bolts 54 and wing-nuts 58 so that divider sections 50 can be repositioned quickly and easily to accommodate new sizes and new combinations of lids.
- Two tangs 52 extend in opposite directions from each divider section 50 in the present embodiment to maximize lateral stability of the divider sections when fastened to base plate 12.
- One or more straw compartment sections 60 may also be fastened to base plate 12.
- Each straw compartment section 60 comprises at least one and typically two side plates 62 as well as a face plate 64, to constrain straws stored in dispenser 10.
- a side surface 24 of cabinet plate 18 or a divider section 50 may cooperate with straw compartment section 60 to form its third side.
- the lower portion of one or more surfaces of straw compartment section 60 may be fashioned into a lip or lips 68, each having a hole or holes 53 that can be aligned with spaced openings 30 in base plate 12 to fasten straw compartment section 60 to base plate 12.
- Divider sections 50, side plates 62 of straw compartment section 60, and side surfaces 24 of cabinet plate 18 are so dimensioned that their edges facing the face plane 69 of dispenser 10 lie within that plane, and their edges facing top plane 72 of dispenser 10 also lie within the top plane. They may be chamfered where appropriate, such as at chamfers 74 where their top and face edges meet, to give dispenser 10 a pleasing appearance.
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- Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (8)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US06/495,762 US4503982A (en) | 1983-05-18 | 1983-05-18 | Dispenser for cup lids and straws |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US06/495,762 US4503982A (en) | 1983-05-18 | 1983-05-18 | Dispenser for cup lids and straws |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US4503982A true US4503982A (en) | 1985-03-12 |
Family
ID=23969902
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US06/495,762 Expired - Fee Related US4503982A (en) | 1983-05-18 | 1983-05-18 | Dispenser for cup lids and straws |
Country Status (1)
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US (1) | US4503982A (en) |
Cited By (19)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4795042A (en) * | 1987-07-13 | 1989-01-03 | Liberty Diversified Industries | Split back mail sorter |
US4949853A (en) * | 1987-07-13 | 1990-08-21 | Liberty Diversified Industries | Convertible desktop organizer |
US5390998A (en) * | 1993-04-26 | 1995-02-21 | Charles Wolf & Sons, Inc. | Display case for jewelry |
US5462299A (en) * | 1993-09-02 | 1995-10-31 | Cambro Manufacturing Company | Tray and dish cart |
US5464105A (en) * | 1993-08-25 | 1995-11-07 | Deluxe Craft Manufacturing Co. | Multiple item shelving display system |
US5676262A (en) * | 1995-11-08 | 1997-10-14 | Justice; Deborah | Bakeware storage and dispensing system |
US5845791A (en) * | 1997-04-11 | 1998-12-08 | The Meyer Company | Device for storage and dispensing of articles |
US6027189A (en) * | 1998-02-18 | 2000-02-22 | Acry Fab, Inc. | Modular cabinet-mounted dispensing system |
US6357606B1 (en) * | 1999-02-02 | 2002-03-19 | Hmg Worldwide In-Store Marketing, Inc. | Modular self-adjusting merchandise display system |
US20040221772A1 (en) * | 2001-02-22 | 2004-11-11 | Spacesaver Corporation | Method of mounting differently configured shelving accessories to a shelf |
US7395938B2 (en) | 2005-02-18 | 2008-07-08 | Jo A. Merit | Method and apparatus for selective engagement of shelf divider structures within a shelf management system |
US20080164229A1 (en) * | 2001-04-26 | 2008-07-10 | Richter Gary M | Merchandising system |
US7478731B1 (en) * | 2006-01-10 | 2009-01-20 | New Dimensions Research Corporation | Product display partition and biasing device |
US20160039562A1 (en) * | 2011-02-03 | 2016-02-11 | Pacific Market International, Llc | Friction-lock adaptable spacer |
US10207172B2 (en) * | 2015-03-10 | 2019-02-19 | Escape Fitness Limited | Reconfigurable storage apparatus for exercise equipment |
US11026525B2 (en) * | 2018-12-11 | 2021-06-08 | Sid Barzee | Adjustable vertical can storage and dispenser rack |
US11228187B2 (en) | 2013-05-04 | 2022-01-18 | Paul Andrew Romanenko | Caddy charger |
US11304514B2 (en) * | 2020-03-25 | 2022-04-19 | John Stephen Lanphear | Shelving system with tilting shelves and adjustable dividers |
US20240277140A1 (en) * | 2023-02-16 | 2024-08-22 | Meteor City Llc | Vertical stand |
Citations (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1267453A (en) * | 1917-05-23 | 1918-05-28 | Charles Manley Ray | Rack. |
US1317589A (en) * | 1919-09-30 | noziska | ||
US1677544A (en) * | 1926-07-12 | 1928-07-17 | Gen Fireproofing Co | Adjustable-compartment metal drawer |
US2142534A (en) * | 1938-07-14 | 1939-01-03 | Reynolds Metals Co | Magazine merchandise dispenser |
US2670853A (en) * | 1950-04-29 | 1954-03-02 | Schneider Eugenic Barbe | Display stand for stacked containers |
GB793646A (en) * | 1955-10-21 | 1958-04-23 | Wentworth Associated Products | Improvements in or relating to office equipment |
US2972421A (en) * | 1959-11-13 | 1961-02-21 | William H Frick | Dish stack divider |
US3018001A (en) * | 1960-07-26 | 1962-01-23 | Clyde M Combs | Adjustable display and storage rack |
GB1019139A (en) * | 1962-10-06 | 1966-02-02 | Jakob Stucki | Storage rack |
US3458964A (en) * | 1967-11-24 | 1969-08-05 | Charles M Guilliams | Adjustable screed cradle |
US3464372A (en) * | 1967-11-01 | 1969-09-02 | Fidelity File Box Inc | Desk top file with selectively positionable dividers and corner shelves |
US3481485A (en) * | 1968-03-18 | 1969-12-02 | Zero Max Ind Inc | Adjustable shelf support device |
US3517822A (en) * | 1968-04-26 | 1970-06-30 | George J Wagner | Supply holder |
US3788487A (en) * | 1971-10-21 | 1974-01-29 | T Dawson | Container with cup liners and cup holders |
US4109980A (en) * | 1976-06-21 | 1978-08-29 | Gary Brockman | Home battery storage and dispenser |
-
1983
- 1983-05-18 US US06/495,762 patent/US4503982A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1317589A (en) * | 1919-09-30 | noziska | ||
US1267453A (en) * | 1917-05-23 | 1918-05-28 | Charles Manley Ray | Rack. |
US1677544A (en) * | 1926-07-12 | 1928-07-17 | Gen Fireproofing Co | Adjustable-compartment metal drawer |
US2142534A (en) * | 1938-07-14 | 1939-01-03 | Reynolds Metals Co | Magazine merchandise dispenser |
US2670853A (en) * | 1950-04-29 | 1954-03-02 | Schneider Eugenic Barbe | Display stand for stacked containers |
GB793646A (en) * | 1955-10-21 | 1958-04-23 | Wentworth Associated Products | Improvements in or relating to office equipment |
US2972421A (en) * | 1959-11-13 | 1961-02-21 | William H Frick | Dish stack divider |
US3018001A (en) * | 1960-07-26 | 1962-01-23 | Clyde M Combs | Adjustable display and storage rack |
GB1019139A (en) * | 1962-10-06 | 1966-02-02 | Jakob Stucki | Storage rack |
US3464372A (en) * | 1967-11-01 | 1969-09-02 | Fidelity File Box Inc | Desk top file with selectively positionable dividers and corner shelves |
US3458964A (en) * | 1967-11-24 | 1969-08-05 | Charles M Guilliams | Adjustable screed cradle |
US3481485A (en) * | 1968-03-18 | 1969-12-02 | Zero Max Ind Inc | Adjustable shelf support device |
US3517822A (en) * | 1968-04-26 | 1970-06-30 | George J Wagner | Supply holder |
US3788487A (en) * | 1971-10-21 | 1974-01-29 | T Dawson | Container with cup liners and cup holders |
US4109980A (en) * | 1976-06-21 | 1978-08-29 | Gary Brockman | Home battery storage and dispenser |
Cited By (21)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4949853A (en) * | 1987-07-13 | 1990-08-21 | Liberty Diversified Industries | Convertible desktop organizer |
US4795042A (en) * | 1987-07-13 | 1989-01-03 | Liberty Diversified Industries | Split back mail sorter |
US5390998A (en) * | 1993-04-26 | 1995-02-21 | Charles Wolf & Sons, Inc. | Display case for jewelry |
US5464105A (en) * | 1993-08-25 | 1995-11-07 | Deluxe Craft Manufacturing Co. | Multiple item shelving display system |
US5462299A (en) * | 1993-09-02 | 1995-10-31 | Cambro Manufacturing Company | Tray and dish cart |
US5676262A (en) * | 1995-11-08 | 1997-10-14 | Justice; Deborah | Bakeware storage and dispensing system |
US5845791A (en) * | 1997-04-11 | 1998-12-08 | The Meyer Company | Device for storage and dispensing of articles |
US6027189A (en) * | 1998-02-18 | 2000-02-22 | Acry Fab, Inc. | Modular cabinet-mounted dispensing system |
US6357606B1 (en) * | 1999-02-02 | 2002-03-19 | Hmg Worldwide In-Store Marketing, Inc. | Modular self-adjusting merchandise display system |
US20040221772A1 (en) * | 2001-02-22 | 2004-11-11 | Spacesaver Corporation | Method of mounting differently configured shelving accessories to a shelf |
US20080314852A1 (en) * | 2001-04-26 | 2008-12-25 | Richter Gary M | Merchandising system |
US20080164229A1 (en) * | 2001-04-26 | 2008-07-10 | Richter Gary M | Merchandising system |
US7395938B2 (en) | 2005-02-18 | 2008-07-08 | Jo A. Merit | Method and apparatus for selective engagement of shelf divider structures within a shelf management system |
US7478731B1 (en) * | 2006-01-10 | 2009-01-20 | New Dimensions Research Corporation | Product display partition and biasing device |
US20160039562A1 (en) * | 2011-02-03 | 2016-02-11 | Pacific Market International, Llc | Friction-lock adaptable spacer |
US11228187B2 (en) | 2013-05-04 | 2022-01-18 | Paul Andrew Romanenko | Caddy charger |
US10207172B2 (en) * | 2015-03-10 | 2019-02-19 | Escape Fitness Limited | Reconfigurable storage apparatus for exercise equipment |
US11026525B2 (en) * | 2018-12-11 | 2021-06-08 | Sid Barzee | Adjustable vertical can storage and dispenser rack |
US11304514B2 (en) * | 2020-03-25 | 2022-04-19 | John Stephen Lanphear | Shelving system with tilting shelves and adjustable dividers |
US20240277140A1 (en) * | 2023-02-16 | 2024-08-22 | Meteor City Llc | Vertical stand |
US12082692B1 (en) * | 2023-02-16 | 2024-09-10 | Meteor City Llc | Adjustable vertical stand for electronics |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: MODULAR ENGINEERING CORPORATION 2951 FLOWERS ROAD Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:LEWIS, LLOYD J.;REEL/FRAME:004255/0309 Effective date: 19830531 |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: MEYER COMPANY, THE, A CORP. OF OHIO, OHIO Free format text: CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT PATENT NUMBER PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 5277 AND FRAME 0325;ASSIGNOR:MODULAR ENGINEERING CORPORATION, A CORP. OF GEORGIA;REEL/FRAME:005657/0724 Effective date: 19910307 |
|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: PAYER NUMBER DE-ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: RMPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY |
|
REFU | Refund |
Free format text: REFUND PROCESSED. MAINTENANCE FEE HAS ALREADY BEEN PAID (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: R160); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY |
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FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
REMI | Maintenance fee reminder mailed | ||
LAPS | Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees | ||
FP | Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee |
Effective date: 19970312 |
|
STCH | Information on status: patent discontinuation |
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362 |